Osman Samiuddin looks at the glorious past of Pakistan's most celebrated cricketing venue which has not seen any action for more than three years now.
Pakistan v India, 3rd Test, November 1978
A seminal series ended with a fantastic Pakistan win secured with just seven balls to spare. Imran Khan's express pace and smart stuff from Sarfaz Nawaz had left Pakistan needing 164 in 26 overs. Javed Miandad and Asif Iqbal steered the stiff chase before Imran finished it off in front of heaving crowds.
Pakistan v India, 3rd Test, January 2006
A first-over hat-trick from Irfan Pathan was neutralised by a fabled hundred from Kamran Akmal and a breakout bowling performance from Mohammad Asif to set up an emphatic series-clinching win. It was one of the high points of Pakistan's modern era.
Pakistan v India, 1st ODI, March 2004
The first full tour by India in nearly 15 years began with a crackerjack at Karachi. Nearly 45,000 squeezed in to witness a titanic battle which India eventually won as Pakistan failed by five runs to chase down 350. The atmosphere beat the result by much more.
Pakistan v Australia, 1st Test, September 1994
A thriller with a stellar cast of the Waugh twins, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and more. Australia bossed the game until the very end when Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mushtaq Ahmed added 57 for the last wicket to chase down 314, still their highest successful Test chase.
Pakistan v England, 3rd Test, December 2000
A dull game for vast parts but with a remarkable and significant end, as it brought Pakistan their first-ever Test defeat at the stadium. It looked a draw until the last day when Ashley Giles spooked a Pakistan collapse. Then, as Pakistan wasted time, Graham Thorpe and Graeme Hick scripted a famous run-chase in the dark.
Virtual banks explained
What is a virtual bank?
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority defines it as a bank that delivers services through the internet or other electronic channels instead of physical branches. That means not only facilitating payments but accepting deposits and making loans, just like traditional ones. Other terms used interchangeably include digital or digital-only banks or neobanks. By contrast, so-called digital wallets or e-wallets such as Apple Pay, PayPal or Google Pay usually serve as intermediaries between a consumer’s traditional account or credit card and a merchant, usually via a smartphone or computer.
What’s the draw in Asia?
Hundreds of millions of people under-served by traditional institutions, for one thing. In China, India and elsewhere, digital wallets such as Alipay, WeChat Pay and Paytm have already become ubiquitous, offering millions of people an easy way to store and spend their money via mobile phone. Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines are also among the world’s biggest under-banked countries; together they have almost half a billion people.
Is Hong Kong short of banks?
No, but the city is among the most cash-reliant major economies, leaving room for newcomers to disrupt the entrenched industry. Ant Financial, an Alibaba Group Holding affiliate that runs Alipay and MYBank, and Tencent Holdings, the company behind WeBank and WeChat Pay, are among the owners of the eight ventures licensed to create virtual banks in Hong Kong, with operations expected to start as early as the end of the year.
Liverpool's all-time goalscorers
Ian Rush 346
Roger Hunt 285
Mohamed Salah 250
Gordon Hodgson 241
Billy Liddell 228
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
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Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
2020 Oscars winners: in numbers
- Parasite – 4
- 1917– 3
- Ford v Ferrari – 2
- Joker – 2
- Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood – 2
- American Factory – 1
- Bombshell – 1
- Hair Love – 1
- Jojo Rabbit – 1
- Judy – 1
- Little Women – 1
- Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) – 1
- Marriage Story – 1
- Rocketman – 1
- The Neighbors' Window – 1
- Toy Story 4 – 1
if you go
The flights
The closest international airport to the TMB trail is Geneva (just over an hour’s drive from the French ski town of Chamonix where most people start and end the walk). Direct flights from the UAE to Geneva are available with Etihad and Emirates from about Dh2,790 including taxes.
The trek
The Tour du Mont Blanc takes about 10 to 14 days to complete if walked in its entirety, but by using the services of a tour operator such as Raw Travel, a shorter “highlights” version allows you to complete the best of the route in a week, from Dh6,750 per person. The trails are blocked by snow from about late October to early May. Most people walk in July and August, but be warned that trails are often uncomfortably busy at this time and it can be very hot. The prime months are June and September.
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
